[Courtesy of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]
ROKS Chungnam is the first frigate developed as a state project to build a total of six frigates weighing 3,600 tons each. The 129-meter-long ship can operate at a maximum speed of 55 kilometers (34 miles) per hour. It is also equipped with a five-inch naval gun, tactical ship-to-ground guided missiles, and guided missiles against enemy ships.
Thanks to the frigate's electric propulsion system, sailors can easily avoid the threat of submarines' detection as it doesn't generate much noise during its operation. However, the ship can quickly move in case of emergency through a gas turbine propulsion method.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said in a statement that a launch ceremony for ROKS Chungnam was held in South Korea's southern port city of Ulsan on April 10. The frigate will be adopted by the South Korean Navy at the end of 2024 after a test run.
"We will continue to contribute to enhancing the strength of South Korea's Navy by building high-quality, advanced ships in cooperation with related agencies such as the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Navy," HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' special ship business bureau head Joo Won-ho said in a statement.
© Aju Business Daily & www.ajunews.com Copyright: All materials on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the authorization from the Aju News Corporation.
